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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WUSA9) -- "It's remarkable he's alive, after surviving a catastrophic gunshot wound to the head," a doctor from the Medstar Washington Hospital Center said on Thursday afternoon, about a police officer who was shot.

Alexandria Police Officer, Peter Laboy, is still in critical condition after a Wednesday morning traffic stop that turned into a shooting and car chase in the Va. city.

"We're going to remain cautious and concerned in the next 48-72 hours," Janis Orlowski, Chief Medical Officer of Medstar Washington Hospital Center, said during the news conference.

Doctors at the DC hospital are worried about different side effects from the swelling of the brain, after such an injury occurs. The doctor said Laboy was shot in the temple and the bullet broke into fragments. Several fragments were removed from Laboy's head during surgery, the doctor said.

Laboy is being described, by fellow officers, as a community hero. They say he talked someone out of killing himself last week. Further, Laboy works in Alexandria City Schools, teaching children about safety, law enforcement and health issues.

The shooting took place at around 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, when the motor officer attempted to pull over the taxi for a minor traffic infraction at Wilkes and South St. Asaph Street in Old Town, police said.

Police said the motive of the shooting is not yet known, but the weapon was recovered. They are awaiting balistic tests before saying whether it is the gun used to wound officer Laboy.

Laboy was found on the ground with his motorcycle by his side before he was transported to Washington Hospital Center.

Bashir was charged with malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer and use of a fire arm in commission of a felony, police said. He was ordered held without bond on Thursday morning.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Alexandria Police Department has released information for people who want to make a donation to the Laboy family after Officer Peter Laboy was shot in the head allegedly by a taxi cab driver during a traffic stop on Wednesday.

Police say donations are being accepted by the Alexandria Police Association on behalf of the Laboy family. You can drop off a donation at the Alexandria Police Department, 3600 Wheeler Avenue, or send a donation to: